The Airport Struggle: Squeezing Your Belongings Into One Bag
We have all been there, desperately trying to compress an overstuffed suitcase at the airport gate, hoping against hope that it will fit the airline's strict size gauge. The fear of a hefty extra charge looms large for countless British holidaymakers. The internet is awash with advice from self-proclaimed travel gurus, each promising a single, miraculous hack to solve all your luggage woes. But who better to trust than the professionals who fly every single day?
The Cabin Crew's Secret: The Duty-Free Bag Loophole
Flight attendant Miguel Muñoz has shared a clever trick that could help passengers sidestep expensive extra luggage fees. His solution is surprisingly simple: use a duty-free shopping bag to carry clothes and other items that won't fit in your primary hand luggage. This method allows you to effectively bring an additional bag on board without paying a penny more.
According to Miguel, who spoke to The Mirror, the key is that 'duty-free bags don't count as carry-on baggage' in the eyes of most airlines. Gate agents, operating under the assumption that the bag contains expensive items bought after security, typically turn a blind eye. You can either bring an empty duty-free bag from a previous trip or buy a small, inexpensive item from an airport duty-free shop to acquire one.
Putting the Hack to the Test
This insider strategy is endorsed by other travel experts. Katy Maclure, from the savings website Jack’s Flight Club, confirmed it is her favourite trick. 'I always use it when flying abroad to pack in extras such as books and clothing,' she said. 'I put my items at the bottom of a duty-free bag. I do the same with a meal deal purchase from a shop such as Boots, adding a few extras into the bag.'
Maclure added that being friendly and polite to airline staff also helps your case, ensuring they are on your side. However, she and Miguel both caution that space in the overhead lockers is always limited, so this is not a guarantee for an enormous extra bag.
A Word of Warning: The System is Not Foolproof
Travellers should be aware that this clever workaround is not without its risks. Airline staff are trained to spot passengers trying to abuse the duty-free system. The stakes for getting caught are also rising. From November, Ryanair staff receive an increased bonus of just over £2 for every passenger they catch with an oversized bag, up from the previous rate. This bonus is now unlimited, whereas it was previously capped.
For the passenger, the consequence of being caught can be severe, with potential fines reaching £75 for excess hand luggage. Other well-known methods to maximise your baggage allowance include wearing your bulkiest items, like jackets and boots, and using vacuum bags to compress your clothing, though the duty-free bag remains a popular and often successful tactic for savvy travellers.
